Printing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a printer which enables improvement of positioning accuracy of an external component relative to a print part.SOLUTION: In a printer, a body part 93 of a roll holder 91 includes a first attachment part 931 protruding and extending forward at the lower side of a bottom surface 93A. A housing 5 of a printer 1 includes a bridge plate 54 spanning a space between a left plate and a right plate. A second engagement part 223 formed at an opening end 221 of an exterior cover 2 is connected to a first engagement part 32 formed at a rear end part 31 of a guide member 3. The first attachment part 931 is inserted into the second engagement part 223 to engage with the first engagement part 32. A second protruding part 933 of the first attachment part 931 and the bottom surface 93A of the body part 93 sandwich the rear end part 31 of the guide member 3 fixed to the bridge plate 54 by a screw in a vertical direction to hold the rear end part 31. Thus, the roll holder 91 is positioned in the vertical direction relative to the housing 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] There are small printing devices that can print on paper substrates. For example, the printing device described in Patent Document 1 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the width direction of the paper substrate inserted during printing and short in the transport direction. The printing device is designed with portability in mind, and by attaching external components such as a roll holder, it can also be used to print on continuous paper such as roll paper.

[0003] The roll holder in Patent Document 1 has a support part that supports the roll paper widthwise and a grip part that is attached to the printing device. The grip part is U-shaped when viewed from the side, and the roll holder is attached to the printing device by vertically clamping and gripping the exterior cover of the printing device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-223923 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the printing unit of a printing device is installed inside the housing of the printing device, and the exterior cover is installed on the outside of the housing of the printing device. Therefore, the roll holder, which is attached to grip the exterior cover, is indirectly positioned relative to the housing, which positions the printing unit, via the exterior cover. If the exterior cover is installed relative to the housing with play, it is difficult for the printing device to ensure the accuracy of roll paper transport relative to the printing unit.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a printing device that can improve the positioning accuracy of external components relative to a printing unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing device comprising a housing and a print head arranged within the housing and capable of printing on a print medium, wherein the housing comprises a first frame portion arranged on one side in a width direction intersecting the transport direction of the print medium, a second frame portion arranged on the other side in the width direction, and a bridging portion extending in the width direction and spanning between the first frame portion and the second frame portion, and the print head is supported by at least one of the first frame portion and the second frame portion and has a guide portion fixed to the bridging portion that guides the print medium to the print head, and a first engagement portion formed on the guide portion or the bridging portion and capable of engaging with a first mounting portion provided on an external component that can be attached to the housing.

[0008] The print head is supported by the housing and is positioned relative to the housing. When an external component is attached to the printing device, a first attachment portion of the external component engages with a first engagement portion formed on a bridge portion of the housing or a guide portion fixed to the bridge portion. The external component is positioned relative to the print head via the bridge portion of the housing or a guide portion fixed directly to the bridge portion. The housing in a printing device is a component that ensures the rigidity of the printing device. Therefore, the printing device can position the external component relative to the print head with high precision. For example, compared to when an external component is attached to another component that is attached with play relative to the housing, the printing device can improve the positioning precision of the external component relative to the print head.

[0009] This aspect may include an exterior cover attached to the housing and covering the housing, the exterior cover having a second engagement portion arranged alongside the first engagement portion in the transport direction and capable of engaging with the first mounting portion of the external component together with the first engagement portion. The second engagement portion of the exterior cover engages with the first mounting portion of the external component when the external component is engaged with the first engagement portion of the housing, together with the first engagement portion. The exterior cover is a component that covers the housing and is attached to the outermost part of the printing device. By ensuring positioning accuracy by engaging the first mounting portion of the external component with the first engagement portion, and also engaging with the second engagement portion, the printing device can hold the external component between the housing and the exterior cover. This allows the printing device to increase the stability of the attachment of the external component and further improve the positioning accuracy of the external component relative to the print head.

[0010] In this aspect, the exterior cover may have a third engagement portion that can engage with a second attachment portion that is provided at a different location from the first attachment portion of the external component. By engaging the second attachment portion with the third engagement portion of the exterior cover, the printing device can further increase the stability of attachment of the external component to the exterior cover. Therefore, the printing device can further increase the positioning accuracy of the external component relative to the print head.

[0011] In this aspect, the first mounting portion may have a first protruding portion protruding in the thickness direction from a first surface, which is one surface in a thickness direction intersecting the transport direction and the width direction when the external component is attached to the housing, and a second protruding portion extending from the first protruding portion in the transport direction parallel to the first surface. The first engaging portion may be formed on the bridge portion or the guide portion in a direction that engages with the second protruding portion along the transport direction, and the third engaging portion may be formed on the exterior cover in a direction that engages with the second mounting portion along the transport direction. When the external component is attached to the housing, the second protruding portion may sandwich the bridge portion or the guide portion between itself and the first surface, thereby positioning the external component in the thickness direction relative to the housing. The external component is positioned in the thickness direction by sandwiching the bridge portion or the guide portion between the first surface and the first protruding portion of the first mounting portion. Furthermore, because the second mounting portion engages with the third engaging portion along the transport direction, the external component is also positioned in the thickness direction by the second mounting portion. Therefore, the printing device can further improve the positioning accuracy of the external component relative to the print head in the thickness direction.

[0012] In this aspect, when the external component is attached to the housing, the first attachment portion may abut against or be close to the second engagement portion on both sides in the width direction. The first attachment portion of the external component abuts against or is close to the second engagement portion of the exterior cover on both sides in the width direction. Therefore, the second engagement portion can limit movement of the external component in the width direction. This allows the printing device to improve the stability of attachment of the external component to the exterior cover and further improve the positioning accuracy of the external component relative to the print head.

[0013] In this aspect, the second engagement portion and the third engagement portion may be located at positions separated in the transport direction but at the same position in the width direction. When the external component is attached to the housing, the first attachment portion may abut or be adjacent to the second engagement portion on the third engagement portion side in the transport direction, and the second attachment portion may abut or be adjacent to the third engagement portion on the second engagement portion side in the transport direction. The first attachment portion of the external component abuts or is adjacent to the second engagement portion of the exterior cover on the third engagement portion side in the transport direction. Also, the second attachment portion abuts or is adjacent to the first engagement portion of the exterior cover on the second engagement portion side in the transport direction. Therefore, the second engagement portion and the third engagement portion can limit movement of the external component in the transport direction. This allows the printing device to improve the stability of attachment of the external component to the exterior cover and further improve the positioning accuracy of the external component relative to the print head.

[0014] In this aspect, the first engagement portion, the second engagement portion, and the third engagement portion may each be provided at two locations spaced apart in the width direction. Since the printing device can attach external components at two locations in the width direction, when one external component is held at two locations, the external component can be stably held. Furthermore, when two external components are held at separate locations, the printing device can hold, for example, roll paper in the width direction on the two external components, allowing even heavy printing media to be stably held.

[0015] In this aspect, the first engagement portion may be disposed on the opposite side of the second engagement portion from the third engagement portion in the transport direction, the second engagement portion may be formed as a recess connected to the first engagement portion, and the bottom surface of the recess may be formed as an inclined surface that slopes toward the side surface of the recess on the first engagement portion side in the transport direction. When attaching an external component to the housing, the first attachment portion is inserted into the second engagement portion and is guided to the first engagement portion along the bottom surface of the recess. This makes it easy to attach an external component to the housing of the printing device.

[0016] In this aspect, the first engagement portion may have an opening on the second engagement portion side in the transport direction and may be formed as a recess into which the first attachment portion can be inserted along the transport direction. The first engagement portion has a recess shape and is easy to form. Therefore, the printing device can accurately position the external component relative to the print head while having a simple configuration.

[0017] In this aspect, the bridge portion and the guide portion may be integrally formed components. The bridge portion and the guide portion are integral components that constitute the housing, and whether the first engagement portion is formed on the bridge portion side or the guide portion side, the printing device can accurately position the external component relative to the print head. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the printing device 1. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the printing device 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the printing device 1. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the printing device 1 taken along line II in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the head unit 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the head unit 4. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the head unit 4. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the printing device 1 with roll holders 91 and 92 assembled thereto. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a roll holder 91. [Figure 10] 9 is a cross-sectional view of the printing device 1 taken along line II-II in FIG. 8, viewed in the direction of the arrows. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] A printing device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, the lower left, upper right, upper left, lower right, upper, and lower sides of Fig. 1 will be referred to as the front, rear, left, right, upper, and lower sides of the printing device 1, respectively.

[0020] The printing device 1 shown in Fig. 1 can print an image on a medium M1 based on print data. The medium M1 is not limited to a specific medium, but may be, for example, a sheet or tape. The medium M1 shown in Fig. 1 is a heat-sensitive cut sheet of paper.

[0021] The external configuration of the printing device 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The printing device 1 is equipped with a resin exterior cover 2. The exterior cover 2 is rectangular and is longer in the left-right direction than in the front-to-back and up-to-down directions. A battery 10 (see Figure 3) is attached to the lower rear of the exterior cover 2. The battery 10 supplies power to the printing device 1.

[0022] The exterior cover 2 includes a lower cover 21, an upper cover 22, and an opening / closing cover 23. The lower cover 21 is plate-shaped and extends in the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions. The lower cover 21 forms the lower wall of the exterior cover 2. The lower cover 21 has a notch-like opening at the rear where the battery 10 is attached.

[0023] The upper cover 22 is box-shaped with an open bottom, and is attached to the upper side of the lower cover 21. The rear wall of the upper cover 22 has a notch-like opening from below where the battery 10 is attached (see FIG. 2). The upper cover 22 has an opening 22A (see FIG. 3). The opening 22A opens the front surface of the upper cover 22 from the center in the up-down direction to the upper end, and the upper surface of the upper cover 22 from the center in the front-to-rear direction to the front end. The opening 22A extends from near the left end to near the right end of the upper cover 22. Hereinafter, the end of the upper cover 22 that defines the rear end of the opening 22A will be referred to as the "opening end 221," and the end of the upper cover 22 that defines the lower end of the opening 22A will be referred to as the "opening end 222."

[0024] The opening edge 221 of the upper cover 22 has second engagement portions 223 at positions near the left end and the right end of the opening 22A. The two second engagement portions 223 are recessed grooves formed on the upper surface of the upper cover 22 near the opening edge 221 and open toward the opening edge 221 (see FIG. 3). The recessed bottom surface 224 of the second engagement portion 223 is an inclined surface with the opening edge 221 side positioned downward in the front-to-rear direction (see FIG. 4). That is, the recessed bottom surface 224 of the second engagement portion 223 becomes deeper from the rear to the front, and connects to the opening edge 221. The second engagement portion 223 connects to a first engagement portion 32 of the guide member 3, which will be described later. A first mounting portion 931 of the roll holders 91, 92, which will be described later, is engageable with the second engagement portions 223.

[0025] The upper cover 22 has third engagement portions 225 on the rear wall surface above the opening for installing the battery 10, at positions near the left and right ends of the opening. The two third engagement portions 225 are located at the same positions in the left-right direction as the two second engagement portions 223. The third engagement portions 225 are formed in a recessed shape with a rectangular opening that is long in the left-right direction. Second mounting portions 936 of the roll holders 91 and 92, which will be described later, are engageable with the third engagement portions 225.

[0026] The openable cover 23 is plate-shaped and includes a first portion 23A and a second portion 23B. The first portion 23A extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. The second portion 23B extends downward from the front end of the first portion 23A and also extends left-right. The openable cover 23 fits into the opening 22A of the upper cover 22. A rear end 231 of the first portion 23A is rotatably supported by the upper cover 22. The openable cover 23 can be opened and closed relative to the opening 22A by swinging about the rear end 231 of the first portion 23A as an axis. The following description will be based on the state in which the openable cover 23 is closed relative to the opening 22A (see FIG. 1). In this case, the rear end 231 of the first portion 23A faces the opening edge 221 of the opening 22A of the upper cover 22 in the front-rear direction with a gap therebetween. Furthermore, the lower end 232 of the second portion 23B faces the opening edge 222 of the opening 22A of the upper cover 22 with a gap therebetween in the up-down direction.

[0027] An insertion slot 24 is formed in the top surface of the exterior cover 2. The insertion slot 24 is an opening defined by an opening 22A of the upper cover 22 and a rear end 231 of the opening / closing cover 23. The medium M1 is supplied into the exterior cover 2 from the insertion slot 24.

[0028] An outlet 25 is formed on the front surface of the exterior cover 2. The outlet 25 is an opening that is defined by the opening 22A of the upper cover 22 and the lower end 232 of the opening / closing cover 23. After printing on the medium M1 inside the exterior cover 2, it is discharged from the outlet 25 to the outside of the exterior cover 2.

[0029] 3 to 7, the internal configuration of the printing device 1 will be described. The printing device 1 includes a head unit 4. The head unit 4 is housed in an exterior cover 2, and includes a housing 5, a platen roller 6, a thermal head 7, and a heat sink 8.

[0030] The housing 5 is made of metal and includes a lower plate 51, a left plate 52, a right plate 53, and a bridging plate 54. The lower plate 51 is a rectangular metal plate in a plan view, and is longer in the left-right direction than in the front-to-back direction. The lower cover 21 is attached to the underside of the lower plate 51. The left plate 52 is a metal plate that is generally rectangular in a left-side view and is long in the front-to-back direction (see FIG. 5). The left end of the lower plate 51 is fixed to the lower part of the left plate 52 with a screw 52A. The right plate 53 is a metal plate that is generally rectangular in a right-side view and is long in the front-to-back direction (see FIG. 6). The right end of the lower plate 51 is fixed to the lower part of the right plate 53 with a screw 53A. The left plate 52 and the right plate 53 face each other in the left-to-right direction. The bridging plate 54 is a metal plate that extends in the left-to-right direction and spans between the left plate 52 and the right plate 53. The bridging plate 54 has a generally L-shaped cross section in the left-to-right direction (see FIG. 4), and has a first portion 54A and a second portion 54B. The first portion 54A extends in the up-down and left-right directions. The second portion 54B extends rearward from the upper end of the first portion 54A and also extends left-right. The left end of the bridging plate 54 is fixed to the upper part of the left plate 52 with a screw 52B (see Figure 5), and the right end is fixed to the upper part of the right plate 53 with a screw 53B (see Figure 6).

[0031] The platen roller 6 is located diagonally above and to the front inside the exterior cover 2 (see FIG. 4) and extends in the left-right direction. The platen roller 6 has a cylindrical portion 61 and a shaft 62. The cylindrical portion 61 is an elastic body made of rubber or the like. The shaft 62 passes through the cylindrical portion 61 and is fixed to the cylindrical portion 61. The left end of the shaft 62 is supported at the upper, front corner of the left plate 52. The right end of the shaft 62 is supported at the upper, front corner of the right plate 53. The platen roller 6 rotates around the shaft 62. The platen roller 6 is connected to a motor 69 via a gear or the like. The motor 69 is fixed to the lower rear part on the right surface of the left plate 52. The platen roller 6 rotates when driven by the motor 69, and transports the medium M1 in the transport direction. The transport direction is the direction in which the medium M1 is transported by the platen roller 6, and is perpendicular to the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the front-rear direction of the housing 5 is the transport direction, with the rear side being the upstream side in the transport direction and the front side being the downstream side in the transport direction.

[0032] The thermal head 7 is provided below the platen roller 6. The thermal head 7 is a line head and includes a substrate 71 and multiple heating elements (not shown) formed on the upper surface of the substrate 71. The substrate 71 extends in the left-right direction and the transport direction, and has heating elements at positions where the medium M1 is sandwiched between the substrate 71 and the platen roller 6.

[0033] The heat sink 8 is provided below the thermal head 7 and fixes the thermal head 7 as a unit. The heat sink 8 is plate-shaped and contacts the underside of the substrate 71 to release heat generated by the heat generated by the multiple heat generating elements. The heat sink 8 extends in the left-right direction and the transport direction. A shaft 81 is fixed to the rear end of the heat sink 8. The shaft 81 is located below and behind the platen roller 6. The shaft 81 extends in the left-right direction. 10

[0034] As shown in Figure 5, a support hole 521 is formed in the left plate 52 at a position diagonally below and rearward of the shaft 62. The support hole 521 is rectangular in left side view. The left end of the shaft 81 is disposed within the support hole 521. As a result, the left plate 52 rotatably supports the left end of the shaft 81. Therefore, the heat sink 8 can swing around the shaft 81.

[0035] As shown in Figure 6, a retaining hole 531 is formed in the right plate 53 at a position diagonally below and rearward of the shaft 62. When viewed from the right side, the retaining hole 531 is arc-shaped with the shaft 62 of the platen roller 6 as its center. The upper end of the retaining hole 531 is at the same position as the upper end of the support hole 521. The lower end of the retaining hole 531 is lower than the lower end of the support hole 521. The right end of the shaft 81 is disposed within the retaining hole 531. Because the lower end of the retaining hole 531 is lower than the lower end of the support hole 521, a gap is formed between the right end of the shaft 81 and the lower end of the retaining hole 531. As a result, the right end of the shaft 81 is a free end.

[0036] 4, a compression coil spring 41 is provided inside the housing 5. The compression coil spring 41 extends in the vertical direction and is disposed between the lower surface of the heat sink 8 and the upper surface of the lower plate 51. The compression coil spring 41 biases the heat sink 8 so that the heat sink 8 swings clockwise around an axis 81 as viewed from the right side.

[0037] As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 7, the printing device 1 is equipped with a resin guide member 3. The guide member 3 is located upstream of the thermal head 7 in the transport direction and is fixed to a first portion 54A of a bridging plate 54. The guide member 3 is located below the insertion slot 24 inside the exterior cover 2. The guide member 3 is formed in a plate shape and extends in the left-right direction, and also extends diagonally downward and forward from above the insertion slot 24. The guide member 3 guides the medium M1 inserted through the insertion slot 24 toward between the thermal head 7 and the platen roller 6, and defines the path along which the medium M1 is transported.

[0038] The rear end portion 31 of the guide member 3 is located above the second portion 54B of the bridging plate 54. The thickness of the rear end portion 31 in the vertical direction is approximately the same as the thickness of the upper cover 22 of the exterior cover 2. The rear surface of the rear end portion 31 faces the open end 221 of the upper cover 22. The rear end portion 31 has first engagement portions 32 at positions near the left end and near the right end of the guide member 3 in the left-right direction. The first engagement portions 32 are located at the same positions as the two second engagement portions 223 in the left-right direction. The first engagement portion 32 is formed in a recessed shape on the rear surface of the rear end portion 31, with a rectangular opening 325 that is long in the left-right direction. The left-right size of the opening 325 is approximately the same as the left-right size of the second engagement portion 223. As described above, the first engagement portion 32 connects to the second engagement portion 223 of the upper cover 22. When the first engagement portion 32 and the second engagement portion 223 are connected, the recess bottom surface 224 of the second engagement portion 223 is inclined toward the recess side surface 321 below the recessed first engagement portion 32 (see FIG. 4). First attachment portions 931 of roll holders 91 and 92 (described later) are engageable with the first engagement portion 32 and the second engagement portion 223.

[0039] The printing operation of the printing device 1 will be described with reference to Figure 4. The user inserts the medium M1 into the exterior cover 2 from the insertion slot 24 along the guide member 3. The downstream end of the medium M1 is positioned between the platen roller 6 and the thermal head 7. The printing device 1 drives the motor 69 to rotate the platen roller 6 clockwise as viewed from the right side. This transports the medium M1 from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction toward the discharge slot 25. While transporting the medium M1, the printing device 1 selectively heats the multiple heating elements of the thermal head 7 under control of a control board (not shown). This allows printing on the medium M1. The medium M1 is discharged from the discharge slot 25, and the user can obtain the printed medium M1.

[0040] 8 to 10, external parts that can be attached to the housing 5 of the printing device 1 will be described. The printing device 1 of this embodiment can attach various external parts using the first engagement part 32, the second engagement part 223, and the third engagement part 225. One example of an external part is a pair of roll holders 91, 92. When attached to the printing device 1, the roll holders 91, 92 can hold a heat-sensitive roll of paper wrapped around a sheet-like medium M2.

[0041] Roll holder 91 is attached to the left side of printing device 1 and holds the left end of the roll paper. Roll holder 92 is attached to the right side of printing device 1 and holds the right end of the roll paper. Roll holder 91 and roll holder 92 are symmetrical in shape. The following describes the configuration of roll holder 91, and a description of the configuration of roll holder 92 is omitted.

[0042] The roll holder 91 includes a main body 93, a support portion 94, and legs 95. The main body 93 is a plate-like portion that is generally rectangular in plan view and generally triangular in side view, with the rear portion being thicker than the front portion. The front-to-rear dimension of the main body 93 is generally the same as the front-to-rear dimension of the portion of the top cover 22 that is rearward of the opening 22A. The left-to-right dimension of the main body 93 is generally the same as the left-to-right length from the position where the second engagement portion 223 is formed in the top cover 22 to the left edge of the opening 22A. The bottom surface 93A of the main body 93 is a rectangular flat surface that abuts against the top surface of the top cover 22 when the roll holder 91 is attached to the printing device 1.

[0043] The main body 93 includes a first mounting portion 931 and a second mounting portion 936. The first mounting portion 931 is located at the right front corner of the bottom surface 93A of the main body 93 and protrudes downward. The left-right length of the first mounting portion 931 is slightly smaller than the left-right lengths of the first engagement portion 32 and the second engagement portion 223. The first mounting portion 931 includes a first protruding portion 932 and a second protruding portion 933. The first protruding portion 932 protrudes downward from a position slightly rearward of the front end of the bottom surface 93A and then bends and extends obliquely forward. The second protruding portion 933 extends forward from the lower end of the first protruding portion 932 parallel to the bottom surface 93A and protrudes forward beyond the front end of the main body 93. The second protruding portion 933 faces the bottom surface 93A in the up-down direction, with a gap between them. The size of the gap is slightly larger than the thickness between the upper surface of the rear end portion 31 of the guide member 3 and the upper recessed side surface 322 of the first engagement portion 32. When the roll holder 91 is attached to the printing device 1, the first protruding portion 932 engages with the second engagement portion 223, and the second protruding portion 933 engages with the first engagement portion 32. The direction in which the first protruding portion 932 bends and extends from the bottom surface 93A of the main body portion 93 is a direction that follows the slope of the recessed bottom surface 224 of the second engagement portion 223.

[0044] The second mounting portion 936 is plate-shaped and its length in the left-right direction is longer than that of the first mounting portion 931. It extends rearward from the rear end of the main body 93 and then curves downward. This shape of the second mounting portion 936 allows its lower end to bend in the front-to-rear direction. The lower end of the second mounting portion 936 is located lower than the main body 93. When the roll holder 91 is attached to the printing device 1, the lower end of the second mounting portion 936 is located rearward of the third engagement portion 225. The lower end of the second mounting portion 936 has a third protrusion 937 that protrudes forward. The length of the third protrusion 937 in the left-to-right direction is slightly shorter than the length of the third engagement portion 225 in the left-to-right direction. When the roll holder 91 is attached to the printing device 1, the third protrusion 937 engages with the third engagement portion 225.

[0045] The support portion 94 is a plate-like member that protrudes upward from the left rear corner of the main body portion 93 and extends in the front-to-back and up-down directions, and is long in the up-down direction. The support portion 94 has a pivot support portion 941 that protrudes to the right at its upper end. The pivot support portion 941 is inserted into the roll paper core to rotatably support the roll paper. The leg portion 95 is columnar and extends downward from the rear end of the main body portion 93. The lower end of the leg portion 95 is lower than the second mounting portion 936. When the roll holder 91 is attached to the printing device 1, the lower end of the leg portion 95 is flush with the bottom surface of the printing device 1. The lower end of the leg portion 95 has a foot portion 951 that protrudes rearward. The foot portion 951 prevents the roll holder 91 from tipping backward when roll paper is supported on the support portion 94.

[0046] When attaching the roll holders 91, 92 having the above configuration to the printing device 1, as shown in FIG. 10 , the user tilts the front side of the main body 93 downward and inserts the second protrusion 933 of the first attachment portion 931 into the second engagement portion 223. The front end of the bottom surface 93A of the main body 93 abuts against the upper surface of the rear end portion 31 of the guide member 3. When the user tilts the rear side of the main body 93 downward, the second protrusion 933 is guided along the inclined surface of the recess bottom surface 224 and inserted into the first engagement portion 32 through the opening 325. When the user tilts the rear side of the main body 93 further downward, the second protrusion 933 engages with the first engagement portion 32, and the first protrusion 932 engages with the second engagement portion 223. Because the first protrusion 932 bends and extends from the bottom surface 93A of the main body 93, it is positioned along the inclined surface of the recess bottom surface 224 of the second engagement portion 223 during engagement and does not interfere with the recess bottom surface 224.

[0047] The third protrusion 937 of the second attachment portion 936 abuts against the outer surface of the upper cover 22 during the attachment of the roll holders 91, 92. When the user tilts the rear side of the main body 93 further downward, the third protrusion 937 moves downward along the outer surface of the upper cover 22, and the lower end of the second attachment portion 936 is bent rearward. When the third protrusion 937 reaches the position of the opening of the third engagement portion 225, the biasing force generated by the bending of the second attachment portion 936 causes the third protrusion 937 to be inserted into the third engagement portion 225 and engage with the third engagement portion 225.

[0048] The roll holders 91, 92 attached to the printing device 1 are positioned vertically relative to the housing 5 because the second protrusion 933 of the first attachment portion 931 and the bottom surface 93A of the main body portion 93 vertically sandwich and hold the rear end portion 31 of the guide member 3, which is directly fixed to the housing 5. The first attachment portion 931 engages with the first engagement portion 32, which is slightly larger in the left-right direction, and the second attachment portion 936 engages with the third engagement portion 225, which is slightly larger in the left-right direction, thereby positioning the roll holders 91, 92 horizontally relative to the housing 5. Furthermore, with the first protrusion 932 of the first attachment portion 931 engaged with the second engagement portion 223 and the third protrusion 937 of the second attachment portion 936 engaged with the third engagement portion 225, the second attachment portion 936 holds the upper cover 22 in the front-rear direction between itself and the first attachment portion 931 by a biasing force generated by deflection. This positions the roll holders 91, 92 vertically relative to the housing 5.

[0049] As described above, the thermal head 7 is supported by the housing 5 and is positioned with reference to the housing 5. When the roll holders 91, 92 are attached to the printing device 1, the first attachment portions 931 of the roll holders 91, 92 engage with the first engagement portions 32 formed on the bridging plate 54 of the housing 5 or the guide member 3 fixed to the bridging plate 54. The roll holders 91, 92 are positioned relative to the thermal head 7 via the bridging plate 54 of the housing 5 or the guide member 3 fixed directly to the bridging plate 54. The housing 5 of the printing device 1 is a component that ensures the rigidity of the printing device 1. Therefore, the printing device 1 can accurately position the roll holders 91, 92 relative to the thermal head 7. For example, compared to when the roll holders 91, 92 are attached to other components that are attached to the housing 5 with play, the printing device 1 can improve the positioning accuracy of the roll holders 91, 92 relative to the thermal head 7.

[0050] The second engagement portions 223 of the exterior cover 2 engage with the first attachment portions 931 of the roll holders 91, 92, together with the first engagement portions 32, when the roll holders 91, 92 are engaged with the first engagement portions 32 of the housing 5. The exterior cover 2 covers the housing 5 and is the component that is attached to the outermost part of the printing device 1. By ensuring the positioning accuracy achieved by the engagement of the first attachment portions 931 of the roll holders 91, 92 with the first engagement portions 32, and also by engaging with the second engagement portions 223, the printing device 1 can hold the roll holders 91, 92 between the housing 5 and the exterior cover 2. This therefore increases the stability of the attachment of the roll holders 91, 92 in the printing device 1, and further improves the positioning accuracy of the roll holders 91, 92 relative to the thermal head 7.

[0051] By engaging the second attachment portion 936 with the third engagement portion 225 of the exterior cover 2, the printing device 1 can further increase the stability of the attachment of the roll holders 91, 92 to the exterior cover 2. Therefore, the printing device 1 can further increase the positioning accuracy of the roll holders 91, 92 relative to the thermal head 7.

[0052] The roll holders 91, 92 are positioned in the up-down direction by sandwiching the bridging plate 54 or the guide member 3 between the bottom surface 93A and the first protruding portion 932 of the first mounting portion 931. Furthermore, because the second mounting portion 936 engages with the third engagement portion 225 along the front-rear direction, the roll holders 91, 92 are also positioned in the up-down direction by the second mounting portion 936. Therefore, the printing device 1 can further improve the positioning accuracy of the roll holders 91, 92 in the up-down direction relative to the thermal head 7.

[0053] The first attachment portions 931 of the roll holders 91, 92 abut against or are close to the second engagement portions 223 of the exterior cover 2 on both the left and right sides. Therefore, the second engagement portions 223 can limit the left-right movement of the roll holders 91, 92. This increases the stability of the attachment of the roll holders 91, 92 to the exterior cover 2 in the printing device 1, and further increases the positioning accuracy of the roll holders 91, 92 relative to the thermal head 7.

[0054] The first attachment portions 931 of the roll holders 91, 92 abut against or are close to the second engagement portion 223 of the exterior cover 2 on the side of the third engagement portion 225 in the front-to-rear direction. Furthermore, the second attachment portions 936 abut against or are close to the first engagement portion 32 of the exterior cover 2 on the side of the second engagement portion 223 in the front-to-rear direction. Therefore, the second engagement portions 223 and the third engagement portions 225 can limit the movement of the roll holders 91, 92 in the front-to-rear direction. This allows the printing device 1 to improve the stability of the attachment of the roll holders 91, 92 to the exterior cover 2 and further improve the positioning accuracy of the roll holders 91, 92 with respect to the thermal head 7.

[0055] The printer 1 can attach the roll holders 91, 92 at two locations in the left-right direction, so when one roll holder 91, 92 is held at two locations, it can stably hold the roll holders 91, 92. Furthermore, when two roll holders 91, 92 are held at their respective locations, the printer 1 can have the two roll holders 91, 92 hold, for example, roll paper in the left-right direction, and can stably hold even heavy printing media.

[0056] When attaching the roll holders 91, 92 to the housing 5, the first attachment portion 931 is inserted into the second engagement portion 223 and is guided to the first engagement portion 32 along the bottom surface 224 of the recess. Therefore, the printing device 1 can easily attach the roll holders 91, 92 to the housing 5.

[0057] The first engagement portion 32 is a recessed portion that is easy to form, and therefore the printing device 1 can position the roll holders 91, 92 with respect to the thermal head 7 with high precision, despite its simple configuration.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the media M1 and M2 correspond to the "print medium" of the present invention. The thermal head 7 corresponds to the "print head" of the present invention. The front-to-rear direction corresponds to the "transport direction" of the present invention. The left-to-right direction corresponds to the "width direction" of the present invention. The left plate 52 corresponds to the "first frame portion" of the present invention. The right plate 53 corresponds to the "second frame portion" of the present invention. The bridging plate 54 corresponds to the "bridging portion" of the present invention. The guide member 3 corresponds to the "guide portion" of the present invention. The roll holders 91 and 92 correspond to the "external parts" of the present invention. The up-down direction corresponds to the "thickness direction" of the present invention. The bottom surface 93A corresponds to the "first surface" of the present invention.

[0059] The present invention can be modified from the above embodiment. The thermal head 7 is supported by the left plate 52 via the heat sink 8, and the right plate 53 side is the free end, but both sides may be supported by the right plate 53 and the left plate 52. The first engagement portion 32 is a recess formed in the rear end portion 31 of the guide member 3, but it may also be formed as a through hole. The second engagement portion 223 is formed in the upper cover 22, but the first engagement portion 32 and the second engagement portion 223 may be formed integrally in the guide member 3.

[0060] The housing 5 is constructed by separately forming the left plate 52, the right plate 53, and the bridging plate 54 and screwing them together, but they may also be formed as a single piece by machining a single metal plate. The guide member 3 is fixed directly to the bridging plate 54 by screws, but it may also be fixed indirectly via another part.

[0061] Although the first engagement portion 32 is formed on the guide member 3, it may also be formed on the bridging plate 54. In this case, the first engagement portion 32 may be formed as a hole rather than a recess. Alternatively, the guide member 3 and the bridging plate 54 may be integrally formed, for example, by processing a single metal plate. Alternatively, the guide member 3 and the bridging plate 54 may be integrally formed by molding the bridging plate 54 in a mold when forming the guide member 3. By integrally forming the guide member 3 and the bridging plate 54 in this way, the printing device 1 can accurately position the roll holders 91, 92 with respect to the thermal head 7, regardless of whether the first engagement portion 32 is formed on the bridging plate 54 side or the guide member 3 side. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1 Printing device 2 Exterior cover 3 Guide member 5. Cabinet 7 Thermal head 32 First engaging part 52 Left board 53 Right plate 54 Bridge plate 91,92 Roll holder 93A Bottom 223 Second engaging part 224 Bottom of recess 225 Third engaging part 321 Recessed side 325 Opening 931 First mounting part 932 First protrusion 933 Second protrusion 936 Second mounting part M1,M2 medium

Claims

1. The housing and a print head disposed within the housing and capable of printing on a print medium; A printing device comprising: The housing includes: a first frame portion disposed on one side in a width direction intersecting a conveyance direction of the print medium; a second frame portion disposed on the other side in the width direction; a bridging portion extending in the width direction and spanning between the first frame portion and the second frame portion; Equipped with the print head is supported by at least one of the first frame portion and the second frame portion, a guide portion that is plate-shaped and fixed to the bridge portion, and that guides the print medium to the print head; a first engaging portion formed on the guide portion and engageable with a first mounting portion provided on an external component that can be attached to the housing; an exterior cover attached to the housing and covering the housing; and the exterior cover has an insertion port through which a print medium is inserted from the outside, The guide section guides the print medium inserted through the insertion opening to the print head. A printing device comprising:

2. The exterior cover has a second engaging portion that is arranged alongside the first engaging portion in the transport direction and is engageable with the first mounting portion of the external component together with the first engaging portion.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein:

3. The exterior cover has a third engaging portion that can engage with a second mounting portion provided at a position different from the first mounting portion of the external component.

3. The printing device according to claim 2, wherein:

4. The first attachment portion is a first protruding portion protruding in a thickness direction from a first surface that is one surface in a thickness direction intersecting the transport direction and the width direction when the external component is attached to the housing; a second protruding portion extending from the first protruding portion in the conveying direction parallel to the first surface; and the first engagement portion is formed on the bridge portion or the guide portion in a direction along the transport direction so as to engage with the second protrusion portion, the third engagement portion is formed on the exterior cover in a direction along the transport direction so as to engage with the second attachment portion, When the external component is attached to the housing, the second protruding portion sandwiches the bridge portion or the guide portion between the second protruding portion and the first surface, thereby positioning the external component with respect to the housing in the thickness direction.

4. The printing device according to claim 3, wherein:

5. When the external component is attached to the housing, The first attachment portion abuts on or is close to the second engagement portion on both sides in the width direction.

5. The printing device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein:

6. the second engaging portion and the third engaging portion are provided at positions spaced apart in the transport direction and at the same position in the width direction, When the external component is attached to the housing, the first attachment portion abuts on or is adjacent to the second engagement portion on a side of the third engagement portion in the conveying direction, The second attachment portion is in contact with or close to the third engagement portion on the second engagement portion side in the conveying direction.

6. The printing device according to claim 3, wherein:

7. The first engaging portion, the second engaging portion, and the third engaging portion are provided at two locations spaced apart in the width direction.

7. The printing device according to claim 3, wherein:

8. the first engagement portion is disposed on the opposite side of the second engagement portion from the third engagement portion in the transport direction, The second engaging portion is formed in a recessed shape connected to the first engaging portion, and the bottom surface of the recess is formed in an inclined surface that is inclined toward the recessed side surface on the first engaging portion side in the conveying direction.

8. The printing device according to claim 3, wherein:

9. The first engaging portion has an opening on the second engaging portion side in the conveying direction, and is formed in a recessed shape into which the first mounting portion can be inserted along the conveying direction.

9. The printing device according to claim 2, wherein:

10. The bridge portion and the guide portion are integrally formed parts.

10. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein:

11. The external component is a roll holder for holding a roll of paper on which the print medium is wound.

11. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein:

12. The first engaging portion is formed in a recessed shape into which the first mounting portion can be inserted.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein:

13. A housing; a print head disposed within the housing and capable of printing on a print medium; A printing device comprising: The housing includes: a first frame portion disposed on one side in a width direction intersecting a conveyance direction of the print medium; a second frame portion disposed on the other side in the width direction; a bridging portion extending in the width direction and spanning between the first frame portion and the second frame portion; Equipped with the print head is supported by at least one of the first frame portion and the second frame portion, a guide portion fixed to the bridge portion and configured to guide the print medium to the print head; a first engaging portion formed on the guide portion or the bridge portion and capable of engaging with a first mounting portion provided on an external component that can be attached to the housing; and and, an exterior cover attached to the housing and covering the housing; the exterior cover has a second engaging portion that is arranged next to the first engaging portion in the transport direction and is engageable with the first mounting portion of the external component together with the first engaging portion, and, the exterior cover has a third engaging portion engageable with a second mounting portion provided at a position different from the first mounting portion of the external component, and, the first engagement portion is disposed on the opposite side of the second engagement portion from the third engagement portion in the transport direction, The second engaging portion is formed in a recessed shape connected to the first engaging portion, and the bottom surface of the recess is formed in an inclined surface that is inclined toward the recessed side surface on the first engaging portion side in the conveying direction. A printing device comprising:

14. A housing; a print head disposed within the housing and capable of printing on a print medium; A printing device comprising: The housing includes: a first frame portion disposed on one side in a width direction intersecting a conveyance direction of the print medium; a second frame portion disposed on the other side in the width direction; a bridging portion extending in the width direction and spanning between the first frame portion and the second frame portion; Equipped with the print head is supported by at least one of the first frame portion and the second frame portion, a guide portion fixed to the bridge portion and configured to guide the print medium to the print head; a first engaging portion formed on the guide portion or the bridge portion and capable of engaging with a first mounting portion provided on an external component that can be attached to the housing; and and, an exterior cover attached to the housing and covering the housing; the exterior cover has a second engaging portion that is arranged next to the first engaging portion in the transport direction and is engageable with the first mounting portion of the external component together with the first engaging portion, and, The first engaging portion has an opening on the second engaging portion side in the conveying direction, and is formed in a recessed shape into which the first mounting portion can be inserted along the conveying direction. A printing device comprising:

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